CONCEPTS OF GEOGRAPHIC THINKING

How do we learn Geography?

Where in Canada?• First city in Canada to be established with goals of being a

permanent settlement (1535)

Where in Canada?• The population in 2011 was 516, 622. The metropolitan

area has a population of approximately 765,706.

Where in Canada?• Located along Canada's Saint Lawrence River near where

it meets the St. Charles River.

Where in Canada?• Only 1.5% of its population is English speaking

Quebec City!

Quebec City

5 Concepts of Geographic Thinking• Each of the concepts allows us to learn about geography with a particular

focus.

Concept #1: Spatial Significance- The importance of a place or a region

- What connections exist between the location and physical characteristics of a place/site

- Identify the relationships that exist between the natural and human environment in a place/site

Examples: Why are there so many older style looking buildings in Quebec City?

Why do most people speak French in Quebec City?

Spatial Significance• What does a population settlement map tell us about the

preferred range of latitude for settlement in Canada?

• What do we need to know to answer this question?

Spatial Significance• Answers:

1. What is a map? Are there different types of maps?

2. How to read a map

3. What does a map of Canada look like?

4. What should be included on a map of Canada?

5. What is a population settlement map?

6. What are latitude and longitude?

7. What is a range?

Maps• Maps are pictures or representations of the Earth's surface.

• They show how places are related to each other by distance, direction, and size.

• Maps are a way of showing a part of the Earth's surface on a flat piece of paper.

• Almost all maps have the same characteristics (more on that later)

Political Maps• Do not show physical features

• Show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities

• A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

• Identifies the “political” characteristics of a place

• LOOK ON THE BACK WALL

Physical Maps

• Has colors to show natural patterns

• The colors on the map can stand for types of vegetation, mountain, and natural features

• Identifies the physical characteristics of a place

Climate Map

• The climate of a place is the weather it has season by season, year after year

• Climate maps show the climate in a certain place

World Climate Map

Land Use Resource Map

• These maps show how land is being used. This might refer to:

•vegetation•crops being grown•Forest vs. Agriculture •mines and wells•city zoning

Topographic Map

These maps show a small area with a lot of detail. They show elevation with contour lines, natural and man-made features.

Topographic Map

Contour LinesContour lines represent the elevation at that line.

If you were to walk across a line, you are changing elevation.

Contour Map